Long-Time NDP MP Irene Mathyssen Announces Retirement

New Democrat MP Irene Mathyssen announced today, that she will not be seeking re-election in 2019.

Mathyssen has held the London-Fanshawe riding since 2006, and prior to that served as an MPP from 1990 to 1995 in Bob Rae’s NDP provincial government.

Over the past decade Irene has served as NDP Critic for Seniors Issues and for Status of Women. She has also served as deputy critic for Heritage and Public Safety and as the NDP Caucus Chair.

In 2014 the Royal Canadian Legion honoured Irene with their Friendship Award in recognition of her advocacy on behalf of Canada’s veterans. Following her re-election in 2015 she was named Critic for Veterans Affairs.

She will stay on as MP until the next federal election.

“It has been my distinct honour and pride to serve this community — as a mother, as a teacher, as a community member, as Member of Provincial Parliament, and as your Federal Member of Parliament. I am grateful to the people of London who have placed their trust in me and given me the opportunity to champion so many progressive causes over the years,” Mathyssen wrote.

She is a graduate of the University of Western Ontario and was a secondary school teacher in London for over 25 years.

Here is the full statement:

MATHYSSEN ANNOUNCES HER INTENTION TO RETIRE

London, ON – Today, Irene Mathyssen, NDP MP for London-Fanshawe, announced that she does not intend to run for re-election.

“After almost 18 years serving the community of London-Fanshawe, I have made the decision not to seek a 5th term as Member of Parliament,” Mathyssen stated.

“It has been my distinct honour and pride to serve this community – as a mother, as a teacher, as a community member, as Member of Provincial Parliament, and as your Federal Member of Parliament. I am grateful to the people of London who have placed their trust in me and given me the opportunity to champion so many progressive causes over the years.

Our work as progressives is not yet done. I plan to remain active and involved in a civilian capacity to create the stronger, more inclusive and fair society we know is possible. I have every confidence in NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh and my local NDP community to carry that vision forward, and I look forward to the opportunities the future holds.

The words of Jack Layton in his letter to Canadians ring truer than ever for me today:

‘Canada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world. We can be a better one – a country of greater equality, justice, and opportunity. We can build a prosperous economy and a society that shares its benefits more fairly. We can look after our seniors. We can offer better futures for our children. We can do our part to save the world’s environment. We can restore our good name in the world….consider that we can be a better, fairer, more equal country by working together. Don’t let them tell you it can’t be done.

My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.’ ”

Mathyssen thanked her husband, Keith Mathyssen and her daughter, Lindsay Mathyssen, for their unflagging support and encouragement over the years, and reassured her constituents that she and her staff in London and Ottawa will continue to represent them and champion their needs for the remainder of her term.

Photo Credit: Tom Ehlich – Flickr, CC BY 2.0